Ontario
Buy vs rent in Ottawa
A buy vs rent calculator preset for Ottawa: Ontario’s closing-cost rules are built in, and the starting inputs are rounded planning values you can replace.
Starting inputs ($650,000 home, $2,200 rent, 1.05% property tax) are planning figures, not a market report. Replace them with current listings, rental ads and the property’s tax bill.
Buy vs rent in Ottawa at a glance
On the starting inputs, buying does not overtake renting within 40 years. After ten years, renting and investing finishes ahead by about $56,191.
| Years you stay | Finishes ahead | By about |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Renting | $49,952 |
| 5 | Renting | $45,768 |
| 10 | Renting | $56,191 |
| 15 | Renting | $81,603 |
What to check in Ottawa
- Ontario land transfer tax applies (no additional municipal land transfer tax in Ottawa); first-time buyer rebates may reduce it.
- Property tax as a share of value is higher than in some western cities; use the property’s actual bill.
- Rent guideline rules differ for older and newer buildings; check which applies to the unit you would rent.
Ontario closing costs
Ontario land transfer tax is tiered. Toronto adds a municipal land transfer tax. First-time buyer rebates are available.
Questions people ask
Is it better to buy or rent in Ottawa?
It depends on how long you stay and what prices, rents and returns do. With the starting inputs on this page (a $650,000 home and $2,200 rent), buying does not overtake renting within 40 years. Replace the inputs with current listings and rental ads for your own answer.
How much are closing costs when buying in Ottawa?
On the starting inputs, estimated closing costs are about $13,575, including $9,475 of transfer tax and registration fees. Ontario land transfer tax is tiered. Toronto adds a municipal land transfer tax. First-time buyer rebates are available.
What property tax rate does the Ottawa calculator use?
1.05% of the home’s value per year, a rounded planning figure. Use the property’s actual tax bill when you have it.
Nearby buy vs rent pages
Educational illustration; not advice.